Ohio University officials are preparing a bid for an architectural firm to estimate the costs to renovate Hudson Health Center while scouting for locations to move Hudson operations during the potential renovation.
After declaring plans for a new campus health center unaffordable ' as costs would exceed original estimates by up to $12 million ' officials now are looking for the best way to optimize the space already available and are determining whether an addition to Hudson Health Center is necessary.
Kent Smith, vice president for student affairs, said he expects to complete the bid proposal within 30 days and to select a firm in the next 60 to 90 days. The firm will provide planning of a renovation and will consider the need for an extension to the front of Hudson.
They may say all your desires and needs could be met if we gutted it and operated differently
Smith said. They'll help us determine the price tag which will then put us in an opportunity to develop a (business plan).
With a reasonable cost ' in the neighborhood of $250 a square foot ' and the support of the Board of Trustees and campus groups, the renovation could start next fall.
If everything lines up G? and we can also find relocation space for every entity in Hudson this may happen a year from now
Smith said.
But finding a relocation space for Student Health Services, Counseling and Psychological Services and Safety and Risk Management is a big if
Smith said.
It really comes down to relocation when you're talking about renovation
he said.
Harry Wyatt, executive director of Facilities Management, said that a renovation of Hudson could be done without relocating all three departments, and that any open space on campus is up for a look. It would be possible to move one of three departments either permanently or temporarily and phase through renovations floor by floor, Wyatt said.
Wyatt, however, noted that constructing around departments can impede day-to-day operations and that phasing through the building takes longer, increasing costs.
It would be nice to do it more quickly ' the more we vacate
the more we can handle at one time
Wyatt said.
Finding an open space on campus large enough to accommodate all Hudson operations isn't certain, Wyatt said.
We don't know if we can find a location to totally offload Hudson or not
Wyatt said. It could be multiple locations.
Jacqueline Legg, business manager of Student Health Services, said housing the student health departments together would be ideal.
That's what we are very hopeful to do
Legg said. It would certainly be much easier on the students.
Legg said Hudson's staff is considering factors such as the privacy of patients, access for the general student population, the space to arrange a waiting room and whether rooms can suit a medical framework in choosing a temporary location.-
Smith said.
But Smith said he doesn't know if OU legally can charge a mandatory building and operations fee for the renovation of a facility. Student Affairs is talking with Finance and Administration and the Office of Legal Affairs to find out, Smith said.
We'll have to do our homework
